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Welcome
Now the weather is getting better and the evenings longer, you can get the kids outside to play. We’ve provided some tempting activity ideas for outdoor fun. It’s also a great time for eating outside –from family barbeques to street parties. Check out our simple outdoor dining ideas. Meanwhile, if you’re planning some time under canvas this summer, you may be interested in our top picks for UK camping destinations.
And as we head towards the end of term, don’t forget Father’s Day or a thank you gift for your child’s teacher – we have plenty of ideas for you in this issue.
There are some great giveaways for you in this issue too, including your chance to win a holiday from Away Resorts, tonnes of Orchard Toy Little Shopping Lotto games and much more! Apply inside and also ensure you receive every issue of our digital magazine with lots more content and goodies on offer.
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Competition winners from our January/ February issue
Familiesonline.co.uk May/June 3
Coronation downloadable Education Outdoor play
Day gifts Parties Food Giveaways Days out Health Craft Travel In this issue
CONTENTS
Father’s
4 5
to all our winners. You can find a list HERE Go on an adventure with AquaPlay Get your FREE AquaPlay Mountain Lake Set now! 4 Available T&C’s apply APPLY HERE
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Familiesonline.co.uk May/June 4 DOWNLOAD FOR YOUR CHILD HERE! Coronation Quiz What do you know about the new King? Try this out with a parent or carer. Answers: 1. King Charles, 2. 70 years 3. The Prime Minister 4. The Princes Trust 5. Buckingham Palace 6. William and Harry 1. What is the name of the new King? 2. How many years has he being waiting to become King? 3. Who does the King meet with each week? 4. Which charity did the King set up in 1976? 5. Which royal palace was the King born in? 6. Who are the King’s children? Guess Who or What? Can you name the following people, places and things that are all connected with the King’s Coronation? This is………………….............. This is………………….............. This is………………….............. This is ....................... This is………………….............. This is………………….............. This is………………….......... Answers: 1. Charles and Camilla 2. William and Kate 3. Westminster Abbey 4. Harry and Meghan 5. Union Jack flag 6. Queen Elizabeth II 7. Buckingham Palace 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Coronation Anagram Unscramble the letters to discover what you will see on Coronation Day Answers: 1. Crown 2. Westminster Abbey 3. King Charles 4. Throne 5. Royal carriage 1. Unscramble the circled letters to spell the name of someone else who will be crowned on Coronation Day S M I E W T N S R E T B B Y A E 2. I K N G A C L H E S R 3. T H E N O R 4. A L O R Y R I R A C G E A 5. R C W N O Your child can enjoy our three, fun Coronation activities, including an anagram, quiz and guess who or what? You’ll find answers at the bottom of each page. Coronation Activities for Kids
What is the CPA approach in maths?
By Jemma Z Smith
CPA (concrete, pictorial, abstract) is a maths teaching approach that has grown in popularity in recent years. It involves using tangible objects for children to add, subtract, multiply or divide. They then progress to using pictorial representations of the objects and ultimately, abstract symbols.
This way of learning is one of the foundations of Singaporean maths, now being adopted in the UK.
Concrete
The tangible, ‘handling’ stage uses physical objects to solve problems. For example:
There are four buttons in the pot. Stanley has two buttons in his hand. How many buttons are there altogether?
In this problem, the children might first count out actual buttons before moving on to non-related objects such as counters.
Of course, almost anything can be used to help a child master this stage from pencils to plastic pots, to counting beans and coins. You don’t need to spend money on concrete resources to support learning.
Pictorial
The next step is for learners to move on to making their own representations.
Returning to the buttons example, these could be drawn as four circles on one part of the paper and two more on another part, representing the pot and the hand. Kids can then count each small circle, getting the same answer as with the buttons
Hape Nature Fun Detective Sets
Familiesonline.co.uk May/June 5 EDUCATION
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APPLY HERE T&C’s apply Sustainable toy for curious little explorers 6 Available
Teacher gift ideas
It’s approaching the end of term again…here are some great ‘thank you’ gift ideas for your child’s teacher, both hand-crafted and shop-bought.
Make a photo frame
Simple, fun project. Requires three materials and a photo memento.
Make a terrarium
Terrariums of all shapes & sizes look great on a desk!
Make DIY hot chocolate bombs
Encased in chocolate & filled with mini marshmallows.
Make pebble class art
Decorate pebbles marking out members of your class and your teacher.
Teacher’s Tin
A novelty desk tidy for the teacher who likes to be organised. £11.79
School backpack charity gift
A charity gift your child’s teacher will love. £11 ActionAid
Keep Calm & Pretend coffee mug
Fun quality mug for the teacher who enjoys a joke. £9.45
Thank You Teacher chocolate gift box
For a teacher with a sweet tooth! £10
Personalised
Teacher’s Survival Kit
Fill with essentialstissues, paper clips, tea bags £7.87
Familiesonline.co.uk May/June 6 EDUCATION
Developing independent learning
By Zuzu Jordan
How handwriting affects self-esteem
By Catherine Loble and Lisa Wander
Big family celebrations occur when our children display independence by taking their first steps or riding their bike without stabilisers.
So how do we then help children develop independence in their learning?
READ MORE
Is it time to rethink school attendance?
By Catherine Lynch
During the pandemic, school absence was understandably high with anxiety about sending children to school and many children absent with Covid 19. However, throughout the past year, problems with school attendance remain ongoing.
READ MORE
Kids who struggle with handwriting are often at a disadvantage in the high-paced classroom setting. According to the Dyspraxia Foundation, they are usually aware of their difficulty and their untidy writing can make them feel uncomfortable and frustrated.
READ MORE
Familiesonline.co.uk May/June 7 EDUCATION
Claim your FREE Little Shopping Lotto game NOW*
in size but big in fun –
for
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APPLY HERE 3AGES to 6 *while stocks last T&C’s apply
Orchard Toys Giveaway
Small
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travel!
Top children’s literature festivals
Children’s literature festivals are springing up all over the country and offer great entertainment for families. Here’s our selection.
Barnes Children’s Literature Festival
London’s largest festival. Big-name authors, shows & activities. 24-25 Jun
Appledore Book Festival (North Devon)
A dedicated children’s programme. 15-24 Sep
Edinburgh International Book Festival
Hundreds of events for families. 12-28 Aug
Cuckfield Children’s BookFest (Sussex)
Spectacular one day event with author ‘meets’ & talks. 7 Oct
Bath Children’s Literature Festival
Europe’s largest dedicated children’s literature festival.
29 Sep-8 Oct
llkley Literature Children’s Festival (Yorkshire)
Top authors, free dropin events, storytelling, workshops. Oct
Wokingham Children’s Book (Berkshire)
Festival with author
‘meets’ & talks. 15 Oct.
Hay Festival (Wales)
Extensive programme & section for toddlers & parents. 25 May-4 Jun
Great Malvern Festival of Stories (West Midlands)
Storytellers, authors, theatre. 24-29 Oct.
Familiesonline.co.uk May/June 8 EDUCATION
Creative garden play
Water
Plastic water bottle guns – use old squeezy detergent bottles for squirty fun.
Water balloon pinata - make with balloons, water, string and a stick.
DIY Slip n Slide - spread out a long tarp and apply hose for slippery, slidy fun. Ice play – freeze water overnight in empty cartons for building, sculpting and slipping.
Mix & stir
Leaf tea – infuse a variety of leaves from the garden in an old teapot or saucepan. Cappuccino – help them carefully froth a muddy watery mix with a whisk.
Mud ice creams – use ice cream cones, dirt and flowers for decoration.
Garden perfume – using sealable bottles, add water and best smelling flowers and herbs.
Make a cheap & easy mud kitchen
Sand & mud
Mobile mud patch – convert your wheelbarrow into a mud pit. Natural sand pit – dig a shallow hole. Line using plastic with rock edging. Add sand.
Sand wall – attach old, upsidedown cartons and bottles with ends removed for pouring sand. Muddy car wash – get the toy cars really muddy, then wash them in a soapy water bucket.
Creative garden
Small world garden play –connect with the natural world with these imagination zones. Soil art – use an ancient method to make paint from the garden. Paint a mural – let imaginations flow using a washable chalk paint recipe.
Ice excavation – freeze interesting items inside blocks of ice for your children to release.
Make seed bombs
Transform an old chest of drawers into a kid’s kitchen using household junk.
Two simple ways to spread colour and biodiversity in your garden.
Familiesonline.co.uk May/June 9 OUTDOOR PLAY
Great gifts for the dad in your life
Don’t forget to show dad how much he’s appreciated on Father’s Day on Sunday, 18 June. Check out our gift suggestions for something he might like – all for £20 or less.
FOCO Moccasin slippers
Comfy suede slippers with your dad’s team logo. £15.
Reversible belt
Wardrobe versatility with this reversible black/tan belt. £20.
Dad’s Toblerone
Personalised Toblerone bar for a special treat. £17.
Stormtrooper decanter
For the Star Wars lover. Stores spirits, decants wine and serves. £19.99.
I Love My Daddy picture book
Spend special time with dad with this joyful, rhyming picture book. £6.64.
Tile Mate
Keeps track of Dad’s keys, wallet and phone. £15.99.
V&A Italian hot chocolate
Rich, mouth-watering hot chocolate from Italy in a keepsake arty tin. £10.
Hotel Chocolat Milk Chocolate Old Fossil
Smooth, mellow and from the prehistoric era (remind you of anyone?).
Personalised face cooking apron
Great for the cook who can’t get too much of himself! £19.99.
Familiesonline.co.uk May/June 10 FATHER’S DAY
Upcycling your child’s party
Be kind to the planet with these ideas from Ice Cream and Jelly
Party bags
Store shopping bags can make perfect gift/party bags. With a little imagination, crafty materials and glue, these branded shop bags can be transformed into unique, personalised bags. Or make your own: there are some easy video instructions on making a paper bag in the tutorials section on Instagram.
Tablecloth and napkins
Party bag fillers
Old bed sheets work well refashioned into tablecloths - paint, tie-dye or appliqué in order to tailor them to the party theme. It’s a great activity to get the kids involved in! If you already have a tablecloth, make placemats or a table runner from scrap fabrics to match the theme of your party.
Make time to make these rather than buying new. Here are some ideas to get you started: scrunchies made from leftover fabric, painted rocks or shells found on the beach, bracelets made from beads from your local scrap store or crayons made from all your kids’ broken crayons.
Wrapping presents
There are many household items that you can use for wrapping gifts: magazine pages, old maps, pieces of sample wallpaper, your kids’ paintings or leftover packing paper. If you can sew, you could make a drawstring bag from leftover fabric scraps. Alternatively, reuse an old pillowcase or wrap with fabric, like the Japanese art of Furoshiki.
Familiesonline.co.uk May/June 11 PARTIES
Simple outdoor eating
Take your pick of these great recipes and create meals to eat outside which the family will love.
Roast chicken garden salad
Sweet & sticky chicken wings with classic slaw
Super easy Spanish tortilla
Quick grilled pizza
Lamb meatball pitta pockets
Salt & pepper tofu skewers
Vegetable tartlets
Roasted banana & cinnamon ice cream
Lemon sherbet ice
Familiesonline.co.uk May/June 12 FOOD
Win a family holiday with Away Resorts!
Win a four night stay for a family of up to six people at an Away Resort of your choice.
Experience one of Away Resorts’ fabulous UK locations, from countryside to coast, all within areas of natural beauty. Your accommodation will be off-thescale amazing and new experiences await at every turn. Jam-packed with activities, entertainment, fantastic facilities and events, every member of the family will be grinning from ear to ear.
Explore The New Forest, Hampshire, Tattershall Lakes
Appletree or Cleethorpes Pearl in Lincolnshire, Mersea Island in Essex or Golden Sands in North Wales –or perhaps somewhere else will take your fancy.
Full list of locations HERE.
APPLY HERE by 30 June 2023
T&Cs.
6 Available
Sustainable toy for curious little explorers
Familiesonline.co.uk May/June 13 GIVEAWAYS
Go on an adventure with AquaPlay Get your FREE AquaPlay Mountain Lake Set now!
Available T&C’s apply APPLY HERE GIVEAWAY Hape Nature Fun Detective Sets APPLY HERE
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T&C’s
Eco family days out
Entertaining and inspiring places with a conscience that also offer bags of adventure for a family visit.
Bewilderwood
Environmentally-friendly adventure parks in Norfolk and Cheshire.
The Centre for Alternative Technology
Snowdonia, Wales. Interactive displays, ecodemonstrations & family activities.
Cornwall. Rainforests, Mediterranean zones & outdoor gardens.
The Living Rainforest Berkshire. Tropical rainforest adventure with plants & animals.
Award-winning indoor and outdoor adventure park in North Norfolk.
Award-winning family fun park in Gwynedd, Wales.
Essex. Ancient woodlands, arboretum & The Wild Wood play area.
Kent.
Set in 40 acres of ancient woodland & holds over 200 British animals in natural enclosures.
London.
Land train, nature play area, the Hive & the Children’s Garden.
Familiesonline.co.uk May/June 14 DAYS OUT
Wildwood Trust
Greenwood Family Park
Kew Gardens
Pensthorpe
The Eden Project
Markshall Estate
Tackling summer ailments
Summer is fun but it’s good to be prepared for the common ailments your child may suffer that are peculiar to the season. Here are our tips.
Sunburn
* Stay in shade from 11am to 3pm;
* Cover up with suitable clothing and sunglasses;
* Use at least factor 30 sunscreen;
* Reapply frequently.
Insect bites
Most improve within hours. * Remove the sting; * Wash affected area; * Apply cold compress to any swelling; * Avoid scratching/bursting any blisters.
Dehydration
Thirst/dark yellow, strong smelling wee, weeing less, lightheadedness, dry mouth, lips & tongue – if untreated, can become serious. * Give extra fluids gradually.
Asthma
*Keep taking preventer inhaler;
* Take reliever inhaler everywhere; * Use your action plan; * Go outside earlier - air quality better; * Drink plenty of fluids.
Heat exhaustion
Dizziness/nausea/ headache/fast breathing or heartbeat. * Move to cool place; * Remove clothing; * Give sports drink/water;
* Cool skin; * If still unwell after 30 minutes, call 999.
Tick bite
* Cover skin walking outdoors; * Use insect repellent;
* Check for ticks on clothes and skin;
* Remove quickly;
* If rash appears or child become unwell, see GP.
Eczema
Itchy, red, dry, cracked skin.
* Dress in thin cotton layers; * Use light cotton blankets or sheets; * Apply moisturising cream;
* Keep out of the heat.
Swimmer’s Ear
eczema
Painful ear/itchiness/reduced hearing/noises inside ear/discharge from ear. * Use drops from pharmacist.
* If symptoms after a week, see a GP.
Familiesonline.co.uk May/June 15 HEALTH
STEM craft activities
Stimulate your child’s interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics with these inspiring craft ideas.
Create salt dough fossils
Fun activity which shows kids how fossils are made.
Paper straw rockets
Experiment with propulsion and flight with these easy downloadable templates.
Gravity action art
A super-easy way of seeing science and art working together.
Magnetic slime
Discover how to create magnetism with this fun activity.
Paper building blocks
Simple craft demonstrating engineering with paper.
Fruit Solar System
A fruity way to grasp the planet sizes in our Solar System!
Invisible ink art
Fascinating art project where science plays a big role.
Make a volcano
A safe miniature eruption!
Robot Hands
Discover the mechanics of robotics and how everything works together.
Familiesonline.co.uk May/June 16 CRAFTS
Best travel games for kids
Perfect for stashing in a corner of the suitcase or car when you head away this summer!
Mixups
Compact card game for Snap or creating fantastical beasts.
Ages 4+. £5.94
Othello on the Move
Pint-sized version of this classic strategy game.
Ages 7+. £9.95.
Mini 4 in a Row
Classic game. All-in-one folding compact design. Ages 3+. £5.59
Articulate!
Compact version of this classic fast-talking description game.
Ages 6+. £10.19
Cluedo Grab & Go
All the thrills of the classic detective game in a mini set.
Ages 8+ £5.
Battleship Grab & Go
Compact, mobile version of the Battleship game. Ages 7+ £5.
Dino Dump
Speedy card game featuring kids’ faves: dinosaurs and poo!
Ages 6+. £9.99
100 PICS Riddles
Family Travel Card Game
Pocket sized, full of family-friendly brain teasers. Ages 6+. £6.99.
Rummikub Travel
Fast-paced game of tile manipulation. Ages 8+ £15.99.
Familiesonline.co.uk May/June 17 TRAVEL
Top UK camp sites for families
Looking for a family-friendly camping experience? Take a look at our top picks.
Catgill Farm
Camping to glamping in Yorkshire Dales. Outside village of Bolton Abbey.
Burnbake
Woodland campsite/ luxury lodges in Dorset, close to coast & Corfe Castle.
Kelling Heath Holiday Park
Surrounded by Norfolk woodlands/trails, indoor/ outdoor pools, steam railway.
Sherwood Pines Campsite
Acres of Nottinghamshire woodland, walk to adventure playgrounds, Go Ape, bike hire.
Gwithian Farm
West Cornwall. Close to beach & pub, goats & guinea pigs to feed.
Glenmore Camping
On the shores of Loch Morlich, Scottish Highlands. Hiking, swimming, kayaking.
Fforest Fields
Set on family run farm in Wales; green hills, woodland trails, lakes.
Red Shoot Camping Park
Ideal base to explore New Forest, attractions nearby, family friendly pub.
Heathland Beach
Walk to Suffolk beaches.
Heated pools, fishing lake, tennis, family restaurant.
Familiesonline.co.uk May/June 18 TRAVEL
your FREE Little Shopping Lotto game NOW* Small in size but big in fun – perfect for both home and travel! APPLY HERE
*while stocks last T&C’s apply
Familiesonline.co.uk May/June 19
Orchard Toys Giveaway Claim
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